From Pittsburgh to Indianapolis you have some nice beginner markets. 

Thinking about Pittsburgh PA to begin with because it is my back yard.

If you try to get in with some upside down project with thin margins you won't be able to do it.The midwest from Pittsburgh out through Ohio and into Indiana, you have markets in that belt that offer beginners with little capital and no experience a chance to play.That's fine and dandy but setting up a network full of Agents, Wholesalers, and GCs that aren't gonna over sell you, talk you into a bad project, or plain rip you off is the hard part.

I can't speak much about the Pittsburgh area, but I own multiple properties here in Columbus.

We're focused mainly in Pittsburgh but even then there's still ton's of investment opportunities here from Section 8, Student Housing, LTR's, etc...If you're interested, I'd be more than happy to get you in touch with some of our investor specialists to help you start your portfolio! 

@Sanil Subhash Chandra Bose we have purchased hundreds of tax lien and mortgage lien properties at the Allegheny county sheriffs sale in Pittsburgh.

@V.G Jasonat least it was a specific prediction =)@Peter W.we have the same issue here in Pittsburgh.  15221 - Wilkinsburg, challenging area,  median price $170kish. 

Institutional investors are returning to the market, evidenced by increasing transaction volumes in July and August.Supply dynamics vary across regions, with markets like Chicago, Milwaukee, and Pittsburgh benefiting from limited inventory growth below 2%.

Plenty of opportunities.One thing that might be of concern to me today, as if I remember correctly they were out of Philly or Pittsburgh.   

The reason I ask is that I'm sure there are other markets, like Pittsburgh, that are close enough that you could do a quick weekend trip to check in but are more financially advantageous.